Randy Starks agrees to two-year deal with Dolphins

Hickey is fairly tight-lipped on other matters

DAVIE — Dolphins defensive tackle Randy Starks, the two-time Pro Bowl selection who had 49 tackles and four sacks while playing all 16 games last year, is back. Starks signed a two-year, $12 million deal Wednesday to remain where he’s been the previous six seasons.

That means the Dolphins now have a formidable three-man defensive tackle rotation of Starks, veteran returnee Jared Odrick and newly-signed Earl Mitchell.

Starks, in his inimitable form, wore blue jeans, a white T-shirt and a Dolphins baseball cap to his press conference. That’s in contrast to Mitchell, who wore a suit, and left tackle Branden Albert who wore a white polo shirt.

Starks, perhaps best known last season for making an obscene gesture toward the sideline during the Cleveland game, is an original. And he said he’s glad to be back with the Dolphins.

“It feels real good,” he said. “It could be worse. I could be out on the street. But for the most part just glad to be back. I’ve been part of this organization for six years and I think I’m established here and I’m just happy to be back.”

For the Dolphins and new general manager Dennis Hickey the Starks signing was significant because it brings back a trusted veteran. It was also another step toward shoring up the front lines on both sides of the ball.

“Today shows a lot about our commitment up front and how important that is,” Hickey said. “And Randy Starks, a two-time Pro Bowl player, a versatile defensive lineman that can play the run, that can rush the passer, that can do a lot of things, we’re very excited we can bring him back and be part of a formidable front line.”

Starks said he happy to have the contract he signed Wednesday.

“I want to finish my career here, and I think this two-year deal gives me a chance to do that,” he said.

Asked if he plans on retiring after two years, the 30-year-old Starks expounded on his previous remark.

“You’ve just got to see what happens,” he said. “That’s not my goal just to play two years and be done, but at least it gives me a chance to be here two more years and then see if anything happens after that.”

Starks said he thinks the moves the Dolphins made recently are good ones, he said he knows Mitchell and he’s a “good player” and he said Albert is a “good offensive lineman.”

Starks said he likes what the Dolphins are doing.

“I think the moves we’ve made so far just shows we’re close to doing something special here and we’re trying to bring in some people to help us get over the hump,” he said.